Multiple oiler



Sept. 26, 1950 I E, w, DAVIS 2,523,899

- MULTIPLE OILER Filed Aug. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 26, 1950 E. w. DAvls 2,523,899

MULTIPLE oILER Filed Aug. 2, 194e 2 shees-sheet 2 wrm A Patented Sept. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATlaiNT OFFICE DIULTIPLE OILER Ernest W. Davis, River Forest, Ill.

i Application August 2, 1946, Serial No. 687,865

This invention relates to automatic oiling devices and is particularly concerned with a multiple oiler adapted to supply oil to a plurality of parts, bearings or other surfaces continuously or intermittently at a predetermined rate.

One object of the invention is to provide a low cost dependable oiler provided with sight `feed means and with means for individually regulating the rate of ow to each bearing served by the oiler.

Another object of the invention is to overcome a common defect in devices of this character due to the foaming of the oil and the consequent interference with regular feed through the supply tubes.

It is also an object ofthe invention to lprovide a simplied electrical pumping device for transferring the oil from a source of supply to the several feed tubes of the system.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide simple means for conveniently grouping the feed tubes leading from the `central supply reservoir in a-manner to enhance the appearance of the equipment.

Other objects` and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a multiple oiler embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated at line 2 2 on Fig. 41;

Fig. 3 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 3-3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 'lis a fragmentary perspective View showf ing an identifying marker for a bearing served by the oiler.

The structure shown in the drawings to illustrate the invention includes a main tank or reservoir Il] which contains a supply of oil and which, as shown in Fig. 2, has mounted Within Ait an electrical pumping unit `indicated generally at I2 rand disposed in the lower portion of the tank I U.

This pump includes a cylinder I4 with a piston I6 mounted for reciprocatio-n therein and urged yieldingly toward the lower limit of its stroke by a spring I8. The lower end of the cylinder I4 is open as indicated at 20, and the cylinder is supported by a base 22 which rests on the bottom of the tank, but is provided with inlet openings 24 through which the oil in thertank has access to the pump cylinder I4. Preferably the base supports a screen 26 interposed between its inlet openings 24 and the opening 20 in the bottom of the cylinder. The cylinder I4 is made of brass or aluminum or other non-magnetic material.

19 Claims. (Cl. 184-7) The piston I6 is provided with inlet :ports 28 in its end` wall and said ports are controlled by a valve' in the form of an extremely light disc 30 guided for movement toward and from the ports 28 by a centrally located pin or stem 32. To facilitate the flow of oil past the valve disc 38 when it is `lifted. to uncover the ports 28, said disc has an annular series of ports 34 disposed nearer its center than the ports 28 of the piston, and inaddition, there is an annular clearance space 36 between the edge of the disc and the cylindrical wallv of the piston I6, 'Ihe piston I6 is reciprocated rapidly ,but with a relatively short stroke by electromagnetic means shown in Fig. 3 as com'- prising a leld magnet 38 having a coil 48 and magnetic pole pieces 42 embracing the upper portion of the cylinder I4. By the application of an alternating or a pulsating current to the coil 40 through its lead wires 44, 46, the piston I6, Whichis composed of magnetic metal so as to constitute an armature for thefeld magnet, is 4subjected to rapid intermittent impulses causing, it to -be reciprocated or vibrated vertically as long as the current is applied to the coil 40. f -r `This vibratory movement of the piston I6 operates to admit oil through the ports 28 and past the valve disc 30 so that the oil accumulates above said valveA in the cylinder I4 and in the tube 48 which extends upwardly' in the reservoir` IU from the cap 50 ofthercylinder I4. At the upper end said tube 48 dischargesinto a trough 52 extends ing horizontally in the upper portion of the tank I0. At spaced intervals in its length said trough has a series of outlets 54, each leading from the lowestvportion of the trough and each `disposed above a feed tube 56, oneofsaid tubes 58 being provided for each part or bearing which is to receive lubrication. Each tube 56 is supported at one end by restingrin an opening in a flange or skirt 58 which depends from the forward edge of the-trough 52; and-the other end of the-tube 56 is attached to a ring 68 carried loosely at the lower end of an adjusting screw 62. The tubes 56 are of capillary character so that When a drop of oil escapes from one of the openings 54= inthe trough 52 and falls on to the inclined innerend portion 56a of the tube 56, the oil Vwill ow downwardly along this inclined portion of the tube` and across the. adjacent open end-ofA the tube whereupon a portion ofv the oil will. be. `sucked into the tube by capillary. action-coupled with a syphon effect, while some of it may drip from the end of the vtube back into the main supply in the reservoir IU. The syphon action draws the oil upwardly along the inclined 4por-- tion 56a and thence through the downwardly inclined portion 56h of the tube for discharge through an outlet 56e which is located closely adjacent the ring 6U. Said ring 60 rests upon a shouldered and tapered terminal 64 at the lower end of the adjusting screw 62 so that the oil emerging from the outlet 56C flows over the surface of this terminal and drips therefrom as indicated at 66. Each of the terminals 64 is disposed directly above the upwardly open end of a feed tube 68, and said tubes lead respectively to the various bearings or surfaces to be lubricated.

The rate of flow of the oil through the capillary tube 56 can be varied by altering the inclination of the longer portion 56h of the tube and this is done by adjusting the screw 62 upwardly or downwardly in its threaded mounting in the upper rail 'IB of the sight feed frame 12. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, said frame 'l2 carries a window 13 through which the feeding of the oil from each of the terminals 64 may be observed. A lock nut 14 secures each screw 62"at adjusted position. Such alteration of the inclination of the part 56h of the tube varies the siphon action by which the column of oil in the longer portion 5612 draws the oil through the shorter portion 56a into the tube and through it and thus varies the rate at which the oil is fed fromr the tube 56 on to the terminal 64 and thence into the feed or delivery tube 68.

The provision of the trough 52 with relatively small outlet ports 54, through which the oil drips on to the several tubes 56, permits oil to accumulate in the trough to the level of the rear edge 52a thereof from which an inclined flange 521) serves as a spillway for the return of any excess oil to the reservoir IU. The accumulation of oil in the trough permits any foam formed therein to collect at the upper surface of the oil and thus eliminates the bubbles from the oil discharged at the ports 54 and drawn through the tubes 56.

As shown in Fig. 1, the frame 'l2 carries numerals designating the individual feed tubes 68 and to facilitate'adju'stment of the oilY feed for any one of these tubes, the bearing to which each of them leads may be provided with a marker 'I5 carrying a similar designating numeral as shown in Fig. 4. The marker consists of a metallic angle plate having one leg perforated to admit vthe tube 68 so that a nut 'I8 serves to clamp the angle plate-to the boss S through which oilis fed to the bearing 82. The 'other leg ofthe angle plate is thus presented in upstanding position for display of the numeral marked upon it.

To secure a neat appearance of the multiple oiler unit as installed upon the side wall of a machine or other supporting surface, the underside of the tank 6 is formed with a rib 84 having spaced notches in which the tubes 68 are led 1;-,

fromrthe front of the tank across its under surface. From the notches 85 the tubes converge toward the middle portion thereof where they are shown in Fig. l gathered behind a cleat or clamping plater. A longer cleat 83' is secured byscrews to the underside of the ,tank IIJ in position to confine the horizontal portions of the tubes in the notches 85 of the rib 84. The top wallof the tank l0 has a capped filler neck Il, through which the oilsupply may be replenished at intervals.

The electro-magnetic pumping device herein shown is preferred because it dispenses with a more elaborate mechanism including a rotary electric motor, but the utility of the other features of the invention is not confined to an apparatus employing this particular type of pump. When this pump is used, the valve disc 36 will be made preferably of Duralumin or some equally light material so as to respond promptly to tne short rapid strokes of the piston operating in synchronism with the alterations or pulsations of the actuating current. The agitation of the oil by the pump will not necessarily produce foam at all times, but this may occur if the oil level in the reservoir I] is rather low, and at such times the trough 52 affords an opportunity for the foam t0 separate from the main body of oil in the trough and to discharge over the crest of the trcughat 52a.

The tubes 56 may be considered as resistance elements in the system since their resistance to flow and the consequent rate of flow to each of the bearings may be varied by adjusting the inclination of each individual tube 56, as already explained.

While there is shown and described herein certain structure embodying my invention and i1- lustrative thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby,but embraces all modifications, variations and equivalents which may come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina multiple oiler, in combination, a tank, an upwardly open trough supported above the cil level in said tank, said trough having a plurality of outlet ports spaced at intervals in its length at the bottom of the trough, pumping means adapted to elevate oil from a supply in said tank and to deliver said oil into the trough, resistance tubes registered respectively under said outlets and adapted to receive oil as it drips therefrom, and delivery tubes into which oil is discharged from the respective resistance tubes.

2. In a multiple oiler as defined in claim 1, each of said resistance tubes having a high point from which a longer portion and a shorter portion of the tube are both inclined downwardly toward its ends, the shorter portion of eachtube being registered under vone of the trough out'- lets and having an open end to receive the oil which drips from the trough outlet and flows over said open end.

3. In a multiple oiler as defined in claim 1, said resistance tubes having portions inclined downwardly toward the respective delivery tubes into which they discharge, and means to vary the inclination of each resistance tube independently of the others.

4. In a multiple oiler as defined in claim 1, said resistance tubes having portions inclined downwardly toward the respective delivery tubes into which they discharge, a vertically adjustable screw for each tube and a terminal by which each tube is engaged with one of said screws for adjustment of its inclination independently of the other tubes.l

5. In a multiple oiler or dened in claim 1, said resistance tubes having portions inclined downwardly toward the respective delivery tubes into which they discharge, a vertically adjustable screw for each tube and a ring attached to the lower end of each resistance tube encircling said screw, said screw having a shoulder with which the ring is engaged, whereby adjustment of the screws varies the inclination of the tube to regulate the rate of now through it.

6. In a multiple oiler as defined in claim 1, said resistance tubes having portions inclined downwardly toward the respective delivery tubes into which they discharge, a vertically adjustable screwfor each tube and a terminal-by which each tube is engaged with one of said screws for adjustment of its inclination'independently'of the other tubes, each screw having a downwardly tapering terminal disposeddirectly over the upwardly open end of a delivery tube; and each resistance tube having an opening adjacent the screw to permit oil to flow from the tube onto the surface ofv said tapered terminal-and to drip therefrom into the delivery tube.

7. In -a multiple oiler as denned in claim 11',y said trough having a skirt-depending from one edge of the trough and below the plane of the bottom of saidtrough, said skirt having openings at intervals to receive and support said resist- `ance tubes in registration with the trough outlets.

8. In a'multiple oiler, in combination, a tank, a receiver for oil mounted in the tank above the oil level therein, pumping meansA adapted to elevate oil from a supply in said tankinto said receiver, said receiver having aplurality oi outlet ports, a plurality of'conduits supportedin a plane? inclined downwardly from apoint below said portsand registered respectively adjacent their higher ends with said outlet ports-so that oil discharging from said ports V'drops'onto the said-'end of said conduits, delivery tubes posi- :i

tioned 'respectively adjacent the-lower ends of said Vconduits to receive oil therefrom, and means for adjusting the inclination of said conduits individually to regulate the rate of ilow of oil to each deliveryl tube.

9. In a multiple oiler, in combination, a tank,

yan upwardly" open trough supported "therein above the oil level, said trough having a` plurality of outletports-spaced apart in a lower portion of the trough, pumping meanswadapted to elevateoil from a supply in said tank and to 'deliver said oil into the trough, and means including a plurality of conduits below the bottom of said trough registered respectively with said outlet ports to receive oil which drips therefrom and to distribute said oil to separate parts to be lubricated.

10. In a multiple oiler as deiined in claim 1 each of said resistance tubes having a high point from which a longer portion and a shorter portion of the tube are both inclined downwardly toward its ends, the shorter portion of each tube being registered under one of the trough outlets and having an open end to receive the oil which drips from the trough outlet and flows over said open end, said trough including a downwardly inclined ange extending from the upper edge of the trough above said open ends of the resistance tubes, said ange serving as a spillway for foam 'collecting on the surface of oil in the trough and extending far enough to carry said foam clear of the open ends of said tubes.

11. In a multiple oiler as denedlin claim 1, said resistance tubes having portions inclined downwardly toward the respective delivery tubes into which they discharge, a vertically adjustable screw for each tube and a terminal by which each tube is engaged with one of said screws for adjustment of its inclination independently of the other tubes, each screw having a downwardly tapering terminal disposed directly over the upwardly open end of a delivery tube, and each resistance tube having an opening adjacent the screw to permit oil to ow from the tube onto the surface of said tapered terminal and Vtodrip therefrom' into the delivery tube, said tank including a sight feed window disposed in a vertical 4plane opposite said tapered terminals, and a framefor saidwindow, said screwsl being adjustable 4in'threaded holes in a top member of said frame, and said upwardly open ends of the delivery tubes being supported by a bottom member of said frame respectively opposite said threaded holes.- 1

12. In almul'tiple oiler, atank, sight feed means associatedY therewith, said tank vhaving al sight Areed windowincludinga frame therefor projecting from a-vertical wall of the tank, a plurality of-delivery tubes extending Vdownwardly from the lower side of said :frame at horizontally spaced positions, the bottom of said tank including a rib with downwardly open notches spaced to register withsaid tubes Arespectively and to receive said tubes -when they are vbent around the lower edge of the tank to extend across the under side of-its Lbottom wall, together with a Ycleat removably secured over the notches of the `horizontal below the discharge ports for interceptingandponveying to a part requiring lubricant atleast a portion of the oil dripping from f'said discharge ports,' and means for individually adjusting the inclination of said capillary conduits to control the rate of ow therethrough.

14. An oil dispensing and apportioning apparatus comprising a'trough-shaped reservoir havingY a plurality offdischarge outlet ports in the lowermost portion of its' bottom for the gravitational discharge of o il `at-a relatively slow and uniform rate, mean'sltol maintain oil in said reservoir at a suiciently high level to prevent foam from entering said ports, means for intercepting and conveying at least a portion of the oil discharged from said outlet ports to parts to be lubricated including a plurality of tubes of capillary dimensions having opposite end portions inclined with respect to each other, one of said end portions being provided with an inlet opening and the other of said end portions being provided with an outlet, and means for supporting a separate tube under each' of said ports with the inlet end portion thereof disposed to intercept at least a portion of the oil discharging from said ports, and the outlet thereof disposed in a plane below the inlet opening to induce a ilow of lubricant from said inlet opening to said outlet through the combined effect of capillary and siphon action.

15. An oil dispensing and apportioning apparatus comprising a main reservoir for oil, an auxiliary reservoir located above the normal level of the oil in the main reservoir and having a tapered bottom and a spillway for determining the level of the oil therein, a plurality of discharge ports in the lowermost portion of saidv inclined bottom for the gravitational discharge of oil from the auxiliary reservoir at a relatively slow uniform rate, means for pumping oil from said main reservoir to said auxiliary reservoir at a rate faster than the oil is discharged through said ports, and a separate capillary tube for each of said discharge ports for intercepting and conveying to parts requiring lubricant at least a portion of the oil dripping from the ports, said tubes each being bent intermediate their ends to provide a relatively short inlet end portion iixedly supported and an outlet end portion supported for movement in a vertical plane to permit adjustment of the elevation of said latter end portion for producing a flow of oil through said tubes as a result of capillary and siphon action.

16. In a lubricator, the combination comprising a constant level reservoir, means forming a discharge outlet adjacent the lowermost portion of the reservoir for the gravitational discharge of lubricant from the reservoir, means to maintain lubricant at a substantially constant level in said reservoir, means for intercepting and conveying at least a portion of the lubricant discharged from said outlet to a part to be lubricated including a conduit of capillary dimensions bent along an intermediate portion thereof to form inclined end portions, and means for supporting said tube with an intermediate part of one of the end portions thereof registering with the dis- Charge outlet in said reservoir for intercepting at least a portion of the lubricant discharged from said outlet, said tube being open at said end to form an inlet for receiving intercepted lubricant and having its opposite end disposed in a lower plane to produce a flow of lubricant through the tube as a result of capillary and siphon action.

17. In a lubricator, the combination comprising a constant level reservoir, means forming a discharge outlet adjacent the lowermost portion of the reservoir for the gravitational discharge of lubricant from the reservoir, means to maintain lubricant at a substantially constant level in said reservoir, means for intercepting at least a portion of the lubricant discharged from said outlet including a tube of capillary dimensions supported below and spaced from said outlet in a plane vertically aligned therewith, and means for conducting lubricant flowing from said capillary tube to the part to be lubricated.

18. In a lubricator, a reservoir, sight feed means for feeding oil from said reservoir to a plurality of parts requiring lubricant, including an auxiliary frame on said reservoir, a window in said frame, a plurality of delivery conduits having open inlet ends iixed to said auxiliary frame behind said window, resistance means for delivering oil at a relatively slow rate to said delivery conduits, said resistance means having outlets behind said window spaced above the inlet to said delivery conduits, and means including a spacer on the bottom wall of said reservoir for Xedly securing said tubes in spaced relation relative to each other at a point separated from the inlet ends thereof.

19. In a lubricator, a reservoir, sight feed means for feeding oil from said reservoir to a plurality of parts requiring lubricant, including an auxiliary frame on said reservoir, a window in said frame, a plurality of delivery conduits having open inlet ends fixed to said auxiliary frame behind .said window, resistance means for delivering oil at a relatively slow rate to said delivery conduits, said resistance means having outlets behind said window spaced above the inlet to said delivery conduits, means including a spacer on the bottom wall of said reservoir for fixedly securing said tubes in spaced relation relative to each other at a point separated from the inlet ends thereof, and visible indicia associated with said delivery tubes corresponding respectively with similar indicia on the bearings to which said tubes lead.

ERNEST W. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davis Feb. 24, 1942 Number 

